Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Macular Degeneration?
Key Takeaways
- Macular degeneration affects the macula, the central part of the retina, so central detail blurs while side vision usually stays stable.
- LASIK and PRK reshape the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye) for focus and are not a treatment for macular degeneration.
- Laser photocoagulation is used in select wet AMD cases, while injections are the usual first approach.
- Corneal Photovitrification, or CPV, is a noninvasive laser option for dry AMD offered at the Bochner Eye Institute.
- A consultation with our eye care team can help determine whether you or someone you love is a candidate.
If you or someone you love has dry age-related macular degeneration, you’re likely familiar with some of the main symptoms. Numbers on the microwave look smudged, or a loved one’s face across the room doesn’t look as sharp as it used to. You may be wondering whether laser vision correction options, such as LASIK, can treat AMD, and our team is here to answer that question.
Standard laser vision correction, like LASIK and PRK, is not used to treat macular degeneration. Instead, the Bochner Eye Institute offers Corneal Photovitrification, or CPV, a noninvasive laser option for people with dry AMD.
An Overview of Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration affects the macula, the central part of the retina. This area provides fine detail in the centre of what you see, which is why a face, a price tag, or a line of text can become blurry or dark while everything around the edges stays clear.
There are 2 main types of AMD. Dry AMD is the more common form and progresses slowly. Wet AMD is less common and tends to change vision more quickly.
Signs You May Notice
If you or a loved one has AMD, there are some changes to be aware of. If you experience any of the following, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam:
- Trouble reading small print or the numbers on a clock
- Faces becoming harder to recognize
- A blurry or dim spot sitting in the middle of your vision
Understanding Laser Eye Surgery
LASIK and PRK are laser eye surgeries that reshape the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, so light focuses more accurately. Laser eye surgery adjusts the focusing power that someone with near or farsightedness would usually get through glasses or contact lenses, reducing their reliance on these vision correction options.
That focusing work happens at the front of the eye, while macular degeneration involves the retina at the back. Because of this, LASIK and PRK procedures can’t treat macular degeneration.
Can You Still Have Laser Vision Correction with AMD?
Having AMD doesn’t automatically mean you are no longer a candidate for laser eye surgery. A full eye assessment, including a look at your retina, helps your eye care team determine whether laser vision correction makes sense for your eyes and what you can realistically expect from it.
Laser Photocoagulation and Wet AMD
Laser photocoagulation is used only in select wet AMD cases. For most people with wet AMD, anti-VEGF injections are the usual first approach, and laser comes into the conversation in specific situations.
The goal of this treatment is to help slow further central vision loss. It does not restore vision that has already changed. Imaging such as optical coherence tomography can help map what’s happening in the retina before you decide on treatment.
What Is Corneal Photovitrification?
For decades, people with dry AMD have been told there wasn’t much to do but wait and monitor the progression. Corneal Photovitrification, also known as CPV, changes that conversation. Dr. Stein and the team at the Bochner Eye Institute are offering it to people with dry AMD.
CPV is noninvasive, meaning there is no cutting and no injections. The laser is used to redirect light away from damaged macula cells and toward healthier retinal tissue.
Who Is a Candidate for CPV?
If you are interested in CPV for yourself or for a loved one, beginning with a consultation can help determine eligibility, since every retina looks different. Whether CPV is appropriate depends on the type and stage of AMD, your retinal findings, and your overall eye health. During a consultation, your eye doctor can review your imaging and medical history with you.
What the CPV Procedure Looks Like
It’s understandable to want to know what will happen during a procedure. Corneal Photovitrification takes place in-office, where our experienced surgical team will monitor you or your loved one. First, we use anesthetic drops to numb the front of the eye for comfort. Then, the surgeon will use the laser to treat the affected area.
The procedure is usually very fast, with each eye often taking only minutes. Your care team will provide post-procedure instructions and schedule follow-up visits to monitor your recovery and vision.
Next Steps for Your Vision Care
Regular eye exams help catch AMD changes early, when more management options are often available. Between visits or before treatment, small adjustments can make a real difference, like a brighter reading lamp beside your chair or a magnifier for the newspaper.
Low vision aids can help you keep doing the things you enjoy, from crosswords to reading your favourite books. What works well depends on your eyes, your daily routine, and the type of AMD you have.
Schedule Your Consultation
Our team at the Bochner Eye Institute can build a plan around you or your loved one’s eye health and talk through whether CPV fits your situation. We have 4 locations in Toronto, Scarborough, Unionville, and Oakville, so finding an office that works for you is simple. If you are interested in CPV, we encourage you to book a consultation today.